A friend of mine sent this story to me, and I would like to share it with you. Although it's not poker-related, it seems appropriate for the holiday season. It certainly offers something to think about.
Mrs. Jones is 92 years old, petite, poised, and legally blind. Her husband recently passed away, and today she moved to a nursing home. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.
As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, the nurse provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the curtains that had been hung on her window. "Oh, I just love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an 8-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room yet … just wait," the nurse said. Then, she spoke these words that I will never forget: "That does not have anything to do with it," she gently replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not does not depend on how the furniture is arranged. It is how I arrange my mind. I have already decided to love it."
She continued, "Every morning when I wake up, I have a choice. I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do work. As long as my eyes open, each day is a gift. As I focus on the new day, I can remember the happy memories I have stored away … just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you have already put in. I'm fortunate to have such memories."
Mrs. Jones then said, "Here is what I believe:
"That our backgrounds and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
"That no matter how good a friend is, he's going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive him for that.
"That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want him to doesn't mean he doesn't love you.
"That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance – and the same goes for true love.
"That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
"That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
"That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
"That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
"That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
"That sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
"That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
"That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
"That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
"That you shouldn't be too eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
"That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
"That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
"That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
"That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
"That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them."
I'm sure you agree. This story offers us all something to think about. Happy holidays!
Mike Sexton is a commentator for the World Poker Tour and the host of the online poker site PartyPoker.com, whose flagship tournament – the PartyPoker.com Million – is an event on the World Poker Tour.